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Australia released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Commentary, Documentary, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Filmed by the BBC in 1989, John's Not Mad follows John Davidson, a 15-year-old schoolboy from Galashiels who suffers from the most severe form of Tourette's Syndrome, a complex neurological disorder. This fascinating and inspiring film explores the way in which John, his family and the local community deal with his extreme condition.This DVD also contains footage from the 2002 BBC follow-up documentary, The Boy Can't Help It, featuring John, now aged 31, as he talks about how much impact the original documentary had on his life. ...John's Not Mad (AUS) ( "Q.E.D." John's Not Mad )
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Would like to say well done to John for his brilliant video which hopefully will give people an insight of how tourettes affects the sufferer and their families. It took great courage for someone of such a young age to take part the first time. John came across as being a very sincere individual. I'm hoping to use this video to help my 13yr old son realise what Tourettes is because he's just been diagnosed and doesn't understand it. Thankyou John for allowing us to understand
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A. Russell
Format:DVD
Having read some of the horrible reviews left here already, I felt compelled to leave my own to try to balance things out.
This is an amazing DVD and well worth watching, not least because some of the proceeds go to the Tourette Scotland charity. The contrast between John at 15, learning to live with his condition, and the man that he has become is truly inspiring, he's a good humoured, eloquent and self effacing man who has endured a truly isolating disability with more dignity and resilience than I suspect most of us could manage. I work with young people with disabilities and I know the abuse and bullying they often have to endure as part of the already fraught process of growing up is nothing to laugh at.
I don't believe that all comedy should be politically correct but I think that some of the reviewers above have missed the point, it must have taken monumental bravery for a young boy to make this film and, while parts of it are as John himself admits amusing, to treat the whole DVD as just another comedy DVD is just outrageous. You could learn from John's best friend in the second film, they both undoubtedly find lots of humour in John's situation but his compassion and regard for John are very clear to see, he's never laughing at John, only with him.
I wonder, out of curiousity, if those reviewers that describe helpless laughter throughout, or drinking games, stop for a break during the moment where John describes sometimes feeling so alone and hated with this condition that he wishes he could die? Or maybe I just missed the hilarity in this candid moment of painful honesty?
I wholeheartedly recommend this film and wish John every strength and happiness, he's an amazing man.
This is an amazing DVD and well worth watching, not least because some of the proceeds go to the Tourette Scotland charity. The contrast between John at 15, learning to live with his condition, and the man that he has become is truly inspiring, he's a good humoured, eloquent and self effacing man who has endured a truly isolating disability with more dignity and resilience than I suspect most of us could manage. I work with young people with disabilities and I know the abuse and bullying they often have to endure as part of the already fraught process of growing up is nothing to laugh at.
I don't believe that all comedy should be politically correct but I think that some of the reviewers above have missed the point, it must have taken monumental bravery for a young boy to make this film and, while parts of it are as John himself admits amusing, to treat the whole DVD as just another comedy DVD is just outrageous. You could learn from John's best friend in the second film, they both undoubtedly find lots of humour in John's situation but his compassion and regard for John are very clear to see, he's never laughing at John, only with him.
I wonder, out of curiousity, if those reviewers that describe helpless laughter throughout, or drinking games, stop for a break during the moment where John describes sometimes feeling so alone and hated with this condition that he wishes he could die? Or maybe I just missed the hilarity in this candid moment of painful honesty?
I wholeheartedly recommend this film and wish John every strength and happiness, he's an amazing man.
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Anyone who saw this fantastic documentary when it originally aired in 1989 will surely buy this dvd. Following John Davidson, a 15yr old who suffers from Tourette Syndrome, this fascinating and inspiring film explores the way in which John, his family and the local community deal with his extreme condition.
This DVD also contains footage from the 2002 follow-up BBC documentary 'The Boy Can't Help It' featuring John, now aged 31, as he talks about how much impact the original documentary has had on his life & it's great to see how 'together' John is now & how he's coped magnificently with the condition when I'm sure he could easily have gone a different way.
Another reason to buy this dvd is that John's charity, 'Tourette Scotland', will be receiving a donation from every copy sold to continue helping and advising families of Tourette sufferers, so go on, order it now!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
a good documentary
Very helpful as a grandchild has just been diagnosed with this condition , I would recommend it to anyone ,a very interesting DVD.
Published 19 days ago by billy
5.0 out of 5 stars
V
Amazing DVD. Amazing guy.
Wouldn't it be a turn up if some of the previewers below had kids that developed Tourettes. Imagine how much laughing they'd be doing then.
Wouldn't it be a turn up if some of the previewers below had kids that developed Tourettes. Imagine how much laughing they'd be doing then.
Published on 27 Jan 2006 by "lambjalfrezzi"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Comedy
As somebody who was at school when this programme was shown, "John's Not Mad" ranks as one of the best bits of British comedy of the 1980's. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2005
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best drinking game...ever
On New Year's Eve a few friends and I had a party and played what, perhaps, may rival 'Withnail and I' in terms of an interactive game. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2005 by A Believer
4.0 out of 5 stars
wild
Personally, I was upset that the audio commentary by Jonny Davidson himself didn't contain one outburst. Surely that was the point. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2005 by F&*%ING NESCAFE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Come on Dude's Tourettes is a serious thing
I was both moved and fascinated at Johns affliction, however, when i got over the initial shock, i found it quite funny. No I didn't. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2004 by Matty
5.0 out of 5 stars
A comic tour de force
I couldn't believe my luck when I saw that the greatest documentary of all time, had surfaced on DVD. Read more
Published on 22 July 2004 by cyril
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ship goes on
I agree with the above review, John is indeed a genius. When I watched the show I was not depressed so I laughed even harder at John, in fact I went one step further than wetting... Read more
Published on 13 May 2004 by jonny townsend
5.0 out of 5 stars
One to Watch
Well where do I start.
I watched this documentary at one of the lowest periods of my life, and I will forever be grateful to John for giving me something to remember with... Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2004 by Sal
5.0 out of 5 stars
johns not mad
classic british comedy,new actor trying out something different although i thought he swore far too much, difficult 2 series included,i find he tries to hard and the gags seem not... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2004
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